It is true that a few satanic groups have in the last few years ‘adopted’ this emblem. However, its heritage as an authentically based Pagan symbol stretches back much further in time than Hammer Horror films, Christian mediaeval heresy and organisations like The Church of Satan.
Horned deities and horns themselves originally represented masculine qualities such as virility, speed and strength. Horns are also hollow like the womb, thus they has associations with feminine aspects of divinity such as fertility, intuition, grace and maternal generosity.
This innocuous defamation of native Pagan divinity quickly produced excellent results for the Christian zealots in terms of both evangelisation and innocents being brought to the Hangman’s noose or blazing stake.
The ‘MARK OF THE HORNED ONE’ (I say "one" rather than god herein because of male/female connections) has links stretching back thousands of years into the mists of time. The vital polarisation of opposite yet complementary aspects of masculine/feminine principles of divinity inherent in the ‘Horned One’ can be seen in the symbolism of many cultures.
Horned deities and horns themselves originally represented masculine qualities such as virility, speed and strength. Horns are also hollow like the womb, thus they has associations with feminine aspects of divinity such as fertility, intuition, grace and maternal generosity.
The age-old title for male sexual prowess ‘Horny’ of course arises from the lustful nature of horned gods.
The sexually repressed early Christian Church seems to have had little trouble in demonising ancient horned deities like the Greek Pan and Celtic Cernunnos into twisted representations of the ‘Devil Incarnate!’ "This wicked Pagan God has horns so he must be the Dark Lord Satan himself," they must have cried.
This innocuous defamation of native Pagan divinity quickly produced excellent results for the Christian zealots in terms of both evangelisation and innocents being brought to the Hangman’s noose or blazing stake.
The ‘MARK OF THE HORNED ONE’ (I say "one" rather than god herein because of male/female connections) has links stretching back thousands of years into the mists of time. The vital polarisation of opposite yet complementary aspects of masculine/feminine principles of divinity inherent in the ‘Horned One’ can be seen in the symbolism of many cultures.
Recall for instance the black and white, ‘Yin/Yang’ sign from Chinese tradition, which represents equal yet opposing aspects of life force (or Chi).
Again, the ‘Great Polarisation’ can be seen at the ancient Neolithic site of Windmill Hill, Avebury in England. The Square Enclosure Oxhead (c. 3700 BCE) comprised of eleven pits.
Again, the ‘Great Polarisation’ can be seen at the ancient Neolithic site of Windmill Hill, Avebury in England. The Square Enclosure Oxhead (c. 3700 BCE) comprised of eleven pits.
If we reverse the Oxhead it becomes the Earth Mother in birth-giving position, (source: The Avebury Cycle by Michael Dames). The arms legs and head make up the five cardinal points of the pentagram shape.
This powerful image gives us a deep insight into the spiritual beliefs of our most ancient ancestors. The Horned God/Goddess motif and its subsequent evolution into the guise of the five-pointed star sign variations was, is and always will remain a symbol of genuine Pagan heritage and our intimate link to nature.
The early pre-literate farming peoples of these isles reputedly believed that the ‘White Ox’ was a representation of the Goddess in bovine form. This fact would seem to conflict with the hypothesis of this symbol’s portrayal of both male/female aspects, however life of course is never that simple! The Neolithic peoples did not always make a ‘clear’ distinction between the sexes.
Many bisexual deity figures have been unearthed at such old sites with statuettes of goddesses displaying masculine features as well as breasts. Goddesses were sometimes carved with beards, in fact male and female were ultimately personified as ‘one.’
Many bisexual deity figures have been unearthed at such old sites with statuettes of goddesses displaying masculine features as well as breasts. Goddesses were sometimes carved with beards, in fact male and female were ultimately personified as ‘one.’
Later on in time the distinction marking the sexes (with an increasing understanding of the fertilising sexual union itself) made sure that the ‘horny’ nature of the deity was properly attributed to the God and not the Goddess, hence our modern Horned God logo!
The early sex-hating Church fathers of course labelled sacred Pagan sexuality ‘demonic’. To them the Goat’s Head symbol stood for Satan’s kingdom as opposed to God’s spiritual realm. The material world was equated with evil and its proud representative, the Horned One, had to be exiled and destroyed. Sadly, such narrow-thinking mindsets still persist.
Thanks to sensationalist media coverage, Church inspired ignorance, extrovert modern satanic adoption and neo-Pagan naivety the old horned fella has been given an undeservedly rough ride. Nevertheless, this vital personification of masculine aspects cannot ever be truly suppressed.
The early sex-hating Church fathers of course labelled sacred Pagan sexuality ‘demonic’. To them the Goat’s Head symbol stood for Satan’s kingdom as opposed to God’s spiritual realm. The material world was equated with evil and its proud representative, the Horned One, had to be exiled and destroyed. Sadly, such narrow-thinking mindsets still persist.
Thanks to sensationalist media coverage, Church inspired ignorance, extrovert modern satanic adoption and neo-Pagan naivety the old horned fella has been given an undeservedly rough ride. Nevertheless, this vital personification of masculine aspects cannot ever be truly suppressed.
Man cannot deny that which is an essential part of his complete nature! Without the fertilising power of ‘Old Horny’ all life would cease to exist as reproduction would come to a grinding halt! The ancient symbol of the Horned God is a genuine reminder of our Pagan heritage that links us to the planet and beyond.
I would urge all freethinker to reclaim this vitally sacred Pagan sign and give it the proud position and respect it so rightly deserves for it is a token of the crucial life force we all need to survive.
Educate others to appreciate these home truths for if Paganism inadvertently jettisons its holy symbols, so as not to offend the delicate sensitivities of unenlightened individuals, then what goes next - Thor’s Hammer, the Pentacle, Celtic Knots etc?
I would urge all freethinker to reclaim this vitally sacred Pagan sign and give it the proud position and respect it so rightly deserves for it is a token of the crucial life force we all need to survive.
Educate others to appreciate these home truths for if Paganism inadvertently jettisons its holy symbols, so as not to offend the delicate sensitivities of unenlightened individuals, then what goes next - Thor’s Hammer, the Pentacle, Celtic Knots etc?
All such items are deemed to be satanically -inspired and not of the Bible by hardline Christian fundamentalists so don’t give them a foothold, via any middle-of-the-road compromises, to trash our Pagan heritage with!
In some ways the future of Paganism rests with those rare souls who refuse to be browbeaten through social pressure from ignorant, self appointed moral guardians.
However, Paganism marks our inherent connection with the mysterious natural cycles of the our earthly home and universe. Therefore, unlike man-made doctrinal faiths, the old ways of our ancient ancestors will always endure fundamentalist assaults and ultimately survive; so long as there is one person left who can look up to the stars with child-like wonderment.
Pat Regan ©
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